By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Honourable Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has hinted that the House is set to unravel circumstances surrounding the death of a Nigerian lady, Ms. Itunu Babalola who recently died in an Ivory Coast prison .
Honourable Akande-Sadipe dropped this hint while speaking during a condolence visit to the parents of the late Itunu Babalola in Ibadan.
The lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal constituency in Oyo state pointed out that all the action necessary to unravel the case will be encouraged, which may include a thorough coroners’ inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding Itunu Babalola’s death.
According to Honourable Akande-Sadipe, the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, will have to ensure that the wrongful incarceration that resulted to the death of a Nigerian citizen is investigated urgently.
She stressed that the House of Representatives ” is always committed to the safety of Nigerians in the diaspora, and will not rest until it gets justice for Itunu Babalola, even in death.”
Honourable Akande-Sadipe said the Committee on Diaspora is not satisfied with the result of the autopsy carried out in Cote d’Ivoire, and that “a thorough investigation on the matter must still be carried out”.
The lawmaker then urged the Federal Government not to allow Itunu’s death be swept under the carpet, adding, ” Itunu will be vindicated and her name will be cleared. It is not going to stop here, I promise”.
Speaking during the visit, Itunu’s father, Emmanuel Babalola, demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of his daughter’s death” , and that through an independent toxicologist, the cause of her death can be established.
Mr Babalola while appreciating Honourable Akande-Sadipe for her kind gesture said Itunu was victimised in prison and appealed to Federal Government to wade into the matter, urgently.
